Annual Members’ Meeting

The status quo for nonprofit operations is being challenged by innovative models for programs and services, funding and sustainable resources. Donors are no longer interested in investing in just a service provider — they want to invest in change makers!

Join us for the 2019 Members’ Meeting as we explore how nonprofits are using INNOVATION to IGNITE their missions. We’ll hear from Erika Lucas of StitchCrew on the topic of INNOVATION, as well as a panel of nonprofit and philanthropic experts on ways our sector can apply entrepreneurial concepts and new sustainability models to our missions.

She was born and raised in Mexico where she began her career facilitating the establishment and in-country operation of several international manufacturing companies. Prior to launching StitchCrew, Erika worked at a Private Equity Firm with investments in the U.S. and Europe. Before that, she was Global Director at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, where she helped establish the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) unit.

Erika founded StitchCrew and partnered with the OKC Thunder to launch an accelerator program because she strongly believes that most of the pressing challenges we face today will not be solved through policy or traditional mindset, but by disruptive technologies, bold entrepreneurs and open collaboration. Erika is not a fan of titles and pedigrees, as they are not necessarily indicative of problem-solving aptitudes. She gets her energy from working with like-minded people. From managing teams and developing execution blueprints to taking out the trash, she constantly looks for ways to improve circumstances and disrupt the status quo.

Dr. John Armitage serves as the chief executive officer for Oklahoma Blood Institute, the sixth largest non-profit blood collector in America. Prior to joining OBI in 2007, Dr. John Armitage led blood center operations in Roanoke, VA, Johnstown, PA, and New Brunswick, NJ. He began his blood banking career as a medical officer for the American Red Cross in Charlotte, NC.

He holds a medical doctorate from Duke University School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in history) from Yale University. He received his training in transfusion medicine from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and [Carter] BloodCare in Dallas, TX.

He is founder and chairman of board for the Global Blood Fund and is a member of the executive committee of the board of directors for America’s Blood Centers. Locally, he is a member of the board of trustees for the Oklahoma School of Science and Math and on the advisory boards of United Way of Central Oklahoma and LifeSharer of Oklahoma.

He is a donor of whole blood and plateletpheresis units, coordinator for All Souls’ Episcopal Church’s blood drives, and co-creator of the Thank-the-Donor web app that harnesses expressions of gratitude.

As president and CEO of Oklahoma City’s Innovation District, Katy Boren spearheads the creation and development of the emerging district and is focused on creating a vibrant, fully-integrated community where people can live, work and play. Her goal is to develop collaboration between Oklahoma’s diverse sectors – health, energy, aerospace, tech, art and others – to foster new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the University of Denver, Boren pursued a law degree at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, she served a one-year courtship for the Arizona Superior Court before returning to Oklahoma. Boren has practiced oil and gas litigation, served as the vice president of regulatory affairs for Cox Communications for the eastern half of the country, owned her own law firm and spent time as the chief of the Utilities Regulation Unit for the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office.

An Oklahoma native, Boren is passionate about supporting nonprofits in Oklahoma City and has served on several boards. Currently, she sits on the boards of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership and NEOKC Renaissance. She’s been recognized as one of Oklahoma’s Ladies in the News, a Rising Star of Oklahoma and one of the Journal Record’s Woman of the Year – Fifty Make a Difference honorees. She lives in Oklahoma City with her two daughters, Stella (11) and Tess (9).

Ed Long, founder and principal of Cross Sector Innovations, holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma with specializations in public policy and public management, and completed all coursework for a Ph.D. in political science, with a focus on public administration, public policy and American politics and government.

He has co-authored journal articles related to strategic planning and the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. His experience includes strategic planning, evaluation, public policy, public/nonprofit management, program development, communications, community & consumer engagement, and government relations.

His current work is focused on social innovation, impact investing and public-private partnerships.

Meredith Peebles is the COO for the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. Prior to joining LTFF, she spent more than five years working in the energy industry in various management roles in the finance and human resources organizations. Meredith graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 with a BA in Economics and a minor in International Studies. While at OU, she served as Panhellenic President and was honored as a Big Woman on Campus for her service to the university community.

Currently Meredith is pursuing her Master of Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma- Tulsa. She serves the 36 Degrees North Board of Directors and as President of the Tulsa Young Professionals Foundation. She was recognized as a 2016 Tulsa Business & Legal News Top 40 Under 40 and was a speaker at TEDxOU 2018.